The leaders of Israel and Hamas should read the newest translation of “The Iliad” by Emily Wilson for some good advice. In her introduction to this classic, she writes:

“The limitless wrath … can end only once (one) recognizes that no absolute, permanent victory is ever possible. Everyone must bear unbearable losses, for which no compensation could ever be enough. In the end we all lose. Our best hope is to accept partial, temporary limits on conflict, accepting human companionship and community as our only, always inadequate, compensation for the pervasive experience of loss.”

Joan Kurtz

Easthampton